Primavera Round-Up 2012/13: Week 20

Juventus’ lead at the top of Group A was cut to just three points this weekend after a surprise slip-up at home against Genoa.

Despite going ahead after just three minutes through Stefano Beltrame, the Bianconeri fell to a Said Ahmed Said double which allowed Fiorentina to take full advantage.

The Viola certainly did just that by thrashing Grosseto 4-1 on the road, Federico Bernardeschi scoring two fine goals en route to the win that has revitalised their title hopes.

Torino are also far from out of the race for the championship and are just one point behind Fiorentina after a 2-0 win against Siena, Simone Rosso and Antonio Barreca scoring.

Livorno are also being pulled closer to the foot of the table after drawing 1-1 at home against Spezia while in-form Empoli fell to a defeat at home against Parma through a Luca Rovelli goal.

Picking up an important win too were Cagliari, beating Pro Vercelli 3-1 with Alessandro Masia scoring twice and Sampdoria and Novara played out a goalless draw.

Atalanta extended the gap at the top of Group B to six points this weekend after second-placed Inter slipped up while they beat Sassuolo 3-1, Doudou Magni scoring two while Guido Gomez remains league top scorer with his consolation.

Meanwhile, the Beneamata fell to a very disappointing draw at home against a struggling Hellas Verona although the visitors performed well in grabbing a deserved 2-2 draw.

That helped Chievo close the tap on them which they did with a 5-0 win over Brescia, the outstanding Victor Da Silva getting on the score sheet twice.

Padova kept their survival hopes alive by stunning AC Milan in easing to a 4-1 victory at home over the Rossoneri thanks to a three-goal second half flurry.

Cesena also picked up an excellent win by disposing of Udinese with a 3-1 while a Luca Zamparo double helped Varese to the same result away against Modena.

Francesco Baldini’s Bologna picked up a 2-2 draw in the final game of the weekend against Cittadella.

In a key top of the table clash in Group C, it was Catania who edged their way in front in the race for the title by beating Napoli 3-1.

Roberto Insigne’s 16th goal of the season had put the Partenopei ahead early before the Elefanti battled back to move two points clear of second placed Lazio who swept Virtus Lanciano aside with a 6-1 victory.

Stefan Tira Catalin scored once, Danilo Cataldi twice and a hat-trick from Christian Lombardi helped the Aquile to a victory that certainly sends a message to their fellow title challengers.

One of those is Palermo who remain level on points with Lazio thanks to a Dario Giacomarro goal.

The Biancocelesti were not the only side who picked up a 6-1 win this weekend, Vicenza managing it too by hammering Crotone by that scoreline.

Massive victories were to be witnessed all over Group C though as Pescara triumphed 5-0 on the road against Ternana with Cristiano Ingretolli scoring twice.

Elsewhere on the road, Roma went to Bari and left with a 5-1 win, Claudiu Bumba and Matteo Ricci each scoring twice while Marco Frediani also hit the back of the net.

Reggina too picked up a big win by beating Ascoli 3-0 in a game that was effectively over as soon as they got the opener after seven minutes.